It’s not only companies and clients who can help to reduce the emissions associated with yachting. The crew plays an important role, if not the most important, as they are involved in the daily running of the yacht for charter. Most crew already run the yacht as efficiently as possible in terms of costs for electricity and energy and supplies, but by engaging a subtle environmental policy, you can not only reduce the emissions associated with each charter, but also the costs.
Electricity consumption can often be one of the greatest sources of carbon emissions. It’s also one of the easiest areas to target and a concerted effort to reduce electricity consumption can lead to significant reductions in an organisation’s footprint. Every time you make coffee or turn on a light you're adding to global warming. There are three main areas in which electricity consumption can be reduced, including crew behaviour, purchasing and lighting patterns. Heating/air conditioning and waste are the other areas in which crew can make a difference.
These “green” tips can help you reduce carbon emissions on board your yacht:
Chartering or purchasing
- Be sure all catering plates, cups and glasses are china or glass – even for the beach. If plastic, be sure they’re washable (biodegradable or compostable is better), but certainly not styrofoam.
- Serve condiments in bulk containers, not individual servings, to save on packaging i.e. sugar, cream, butter, cheese etc
- Use cloth napkins whenever possible
- Use coasters instead of cocktail napkins
- Use recycled content for any gifts or promotional products on board
- Use low energy lightbulbs; not only do they use less energy but they also last, on average, 12 times longer than ordinary lightbulbs
- Use environmentally friendly cleaning products that are recyclable
- Use refillable bottles for bathroom products
Running the yacht
- Separate recycling bins in crew/kitchen areas for all waste
- Print handouts/daily updates and printed news on two sides using post-consumer recycled paper
- Provide guests with the option of changing sheets and towels daily or every other day
- Shut the blinds and turn down the heat/air conditioning during the day when rooms are not in constant use. Switch back on during turn down service and programme to a moderate temperature
- Use water-efficient showerheads, toilets and tap aerators
- Recycle water during cooking
- Set up system for re-use of grey water (for washing, deck areas, etc)
- Menus should incorporate local, seasonal and organically grown foods wherever possible.
- Feature onboard information about the yachts recycling programme so guests can help do their bit.
- Set up lists of green suppliers and purchase energy-efficient appliances, equipment and machinery and nominate one person to be in charge of the overall environmental policy of the running of the yacht.
Camper & Nicholsons is a carbon neutral company. The above article was excerpted from “Think Green, CarbonNeutral for Crew,” published by CNI.
Is your yacht environmentally friendly?